Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury that has so far defied a definitive diagnosis, with her club coach confirming that the Nigerian attacker is unlikely to return before the end of 2026.
Okoronkwo’s setback comes at a particularly difficult time for both club and country, with the 29-year-old now expected to miss Nigeria’s upcoming CAF Women’s Olympic Games qualifying fixtures against Comoros as the Super Falcons begin their quest for a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
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Her club head coach, Marko Milanovic, confirmed the worrying development while speaking during his pre-match press conference, revealing that the medical team is still trying to establish exactly when and how the injury occurred.
“It’s hard to know exactly where it happened. It could have been just wear and tear over a longer period,” Milanovic said.
The situation has been made more complicated by the fact that several medical examinations have yet to provide a clear explanation for the problem.
According to Milanovic, Okoronkwo has undergone multiple MRI scans, but the results have not given the medical team the definitive answers they were expecting.
“Some of the things presented themselves a little differently than what they were, despite MRI usually being able to show you everything,” he explained.
The coach admitted that the club is still waiting for further clarification, but conceded that the Nigerian forward is facing a significant absence.
“So, we’re still waiting to confirm that. But she’s more than likely out for the rest of the year.”
The uncertainty surrounding the injury means Okoronkwo must now concentrate on recovery while the medical team continues its efforts to establish the exact nature of the problem and determine the appropriate treatment.
For the Super Falcons, however, the timing could hardly be worse.
Nigeria is preparing to begin its 2028 Olympic qualification campaign against Comoros, with both legs of the second-round tie scheduled for October 9 and 13 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo.
Okoronkwo’s absence removes an experienced attacking option from the squad and leaves the technical crew with the task of finding alternative solutions in attack.
The forward has become an important figure in Nigeria’s attacking setup and her ability to contribute in the final third has made her a valuable option for the national team.
Her potential absence therefore gives interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen another challenge to address as he prepares the Falcons for their first major assignment of the Olympic qualification campaign.
For now, however, the priority is Okoronkwo’s health.
Until the medical team reaches a definitive conclusion on the injury, there remains uncertainty over her recovery timeline. What is clear is that the Nigerian forward is facing a long road back, with her club coach already preparing for life without her for the remainder of the year.
An unanswered medical question has now become a major concern for Nigeria — and the Super Falcons may have to begin their Olympic journey without one of their key attacking weapons.
